Crop producers suspended in California and Wisconsin
By Sustainable Food News
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reporting suspensions of organic certificates held by farmers in the California and Wisconsin, which boast the largest share of certified-organic acres and farms.
The agency's National Organic Program (NOP) revealed the suspensions in its Organic Integrity Database. So far, in FY2017, nearly 275 operations have had their organic certificates suspended or revoked.
In the past five years, the NOP said it has suspended or revoked nearly 1,000 organic operations because of violations of federal organic standards.
"A suspended or revoked operation can’t sell, label, or represent its products as having been organically produced or handled," the agency said.
The operations in California, which has 2,713 organic farms, that were suspended include:
- TSB Ag Services, LLC of Madera, Calif., where it farms 223 acres, was suspended effective Sept. 19 by CCOF Certification Services, LLC
- Ha's Apple Farm in Tehachapi, Calif., suspended effective Sept. 26 by Quality Assurance International(QAI)
The operations in Wisconsin, which has 1,276 organic farms, that were suspended include:
- Brian Weisensel in Watertown, Wis., suspended effective Sept. 12 by Natures International Certification Services (NICS) for crops
- Orville & Kathy Lont of Randolph, Wis., suspended effective Sept. 27 by NICS for crops